PMMI publishes guidelines for Mechatronics Apprenticeships

December 4, 2014 - PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, announced today that the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has approved its mechatronics certificate tests as the foundation for mechatronics technician apprenticeships around the country. Created by PMMI and the Industrial Maintenance Training Center of North America (IMTC), Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in cooperation with the Employment and Training Administration of the DOL, the formal guidelines will be listed under the occupation of “mechatronics technician.”

“Employers can use the new apprenticeship guidelines as part of a formal, DOL-registered apprenticeship program or as a structure for their internal programs,” says Maria Ferrante, vice president, Education & Workforce Development, PMMI. “The guidelines provide manufacturers a clear roadmap leading to a skilled workforce and established career paths not just in packaging and processing, but for any U.S. manufacturer. “Companies can partner with local community colleges to deliver the curriculum to apprentices.”

Mechatronics is the synergistic application of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, control engineering and computer science in the manufacturing environment. Mechatronics technicians use their skills and knowledge to maintain and repair high tech equipment ultimately leading to higher productivity and lower downtime for manufacturers.

“Creating a world-class workforce is the focus of the Industrial Maintenance Training Center of North America. Mechatronics technicians, in particular, require advanced, multi-disciplinary skills and knowledge. We see apprenticeship as the perfect way to blend the skills that are developed using curriculum from training providers and on-the-job training provided by the employer,” says Scott Sheely, executive director, IMTC. "The PMMI certificates are the gold standard for verifying these skills, a key function in competency-based apprenticeships, and PMMI has been a key partner in getting to where we are today.”

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